Historical Context
“The unification of our country, the unity of our people and the unity of our various nationalities - these are the basic guarantees of the sure triumph of our cause.” -Mao, The Little Red Book
How it Got Started:
The Cultural Revolution was launched by Chairman Mao Zedong in 1966 with an initial attempt of unifying the Chinese people’s thoughts through a proletarian idea. This attempt was longed by Mao since the Great Leap Forward (1958-1961)---a period when China’s economic reached its bottom. Fearing the loss of power, Mao engaged China into a unreasonably rapid industrial advance during the Great Leap Forward that caused disruption to the people’s daily lives. Everything from agriculture to technologies became worse. Ultimately, the Great Leap Forward achieved the opposite of what was expected.
As a result of the rapid economic failure, the people of China became disunified. Many were angered by the government and stopped following Mao. To once again recreate his cult of personality, Mao tried another method. This time, he took harder actions, and planned to destroy all people and things that blocked him from achieving his ideas. This method, known as the Cultural Revolution, started out strongly and convincing with the help of the young Red Guards.
The Cultural Revolution was launched by Chairman Mao Zedong in 1966 with an initial attempt of unifying the Chinese people’s thoughts through a proletarian idea. This attempt was longed by Mao since the Great Leap Forward (1958-1961)---a period when China’s economic reached its bottom. Fearing the loss of power, Mao engaged China into a unreasonably rapid industrial advance during the Great Leap Forward that caused disruption to the people’s daily lives. Everything from agriculture to technologies became worse. Ultimately, the Great Leap Forward achieved the opposite of what was expected.
As a result of the rapid economic failure, the people of China became disunified. Many were angered by the government and stopped following Mao. To once again recreate his cult of personality, Mao tried another method. This time, he took harder actions, and planned to destroy all people and things that blocked him from achieving his ideas. This method, known as the Cultural Revolution, started out strongly and convincing with the help of the young Red Guards.
TimeLINE
1961
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The end of the Great Leap Forward.
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May 16, 1966
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The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issues the May 16 notice announcing the start of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.
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June 1, 1966
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A big-character poster is put up at Beijing University announcing the Cultural Revolution
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June 2, 1966
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The first group of Red Guards formed at the Qinghua University Middle School.
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August 1966
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The Cultural Revolution condemns every form of religion and bans all open expression of faith—churches and temples are shut down and destroyed; believers are imprisoned. The Red Guards begin campaign to destroy the “Four Olds”.
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August 1, 1966
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Mao Zedong supports the Red Guards during the 11th plenum of the eighth CCP Congress.
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January 1967
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The Red Guards seize power in Shanghai, targeting temples and monuments.
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1969
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Universities and high schools reopened.
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